Art
These artists have brightened an Edmonton LRT car with the vivid colours of El Salvador
A new and colourful Supertrain is riding the rails of Edmonton’s LRT system this fall.
The temporary public art LRT car was created by local artists Michelle Campos Castillo and Roger Garcia. Campos Castillo is a visual artist and co-director at Latitude 53. Garcia is an art educator.
Campos Castillo said she has been wanting to collaborate with Garcia for a while now. Both came to Canada as refugees from El Salvador — Garcia when he was five, and Campos Castillo when she was eight.
“We’ve had a similar journey, and a similar love for the arts and we wanted to do a tribute to Salvadoran culture,” Campos Castillo told CBC’s Edmonton AM.
The Supertrain Residency art initiative was in partnership with The Society of Northern Alberta Print-Artists (SNAP), the Edmonton Arts Council and Pattison Outdoor Advertising.
Three artists were commissioned to design three transitory public art murals for the interior and exterior of three LRT cars.
The artists created their designs over a two-month residency. The theme of the project was to explore the natural world in an urban environment, and bring mobile art out of the gallery and outside to Edmonton’s streets.
Campos Castillo said it was hard to come up with designs.
“We grew up with mango trees and lemon trees and avocado trees, so we wanted to bring those bright visuals to transit, which can be a bit drab in the winter — and commuting is hard.”
The train depicts colourful plantain leaves and corn, which are a big part of the Salvadorian diet.
The artists personalized their work. Campos Castillo referenced her father and grandma. Garcia included his old pets — some parrots, a little dog.
“The memories that I drew are still very vivid,” said Garcia, who still has pet parrots.
“I always remember having the guava tree just behind our little apartment in El Salvador,” he said. “And my mom used to have this garden in the front and I remember it was full of hibiscus flowers. I used to just eat them.”
Garcia and Campos Castillo rode the train through the city observing how the commuters interacted with their art.
“All the colours that we included in the train, people just stop and just look around and enjoy every image,” Garcia said.
Campos Castillo said the art has been a source of pride for people in the Salvadoran community.
“There’s some sense of wonder and excitement for the illustrations,” she said.
“We want the colours to bring people in and maybe make them curious about Salvadoran culture.”
Art
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Art
Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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